Donald Trump, Univision Settle Lawsuit Over Miss Universe Pageant

Republican presidential candidate filed $500 million suit against network in June

ENLARGE

Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler poses with Donald Trump after the 2013 Miss Universe pageant. Photo: Associated Press/Ivan Sekretarev

By

Nick Niedzwiadek

Feb. 11, 2016 2:54 p.m. ET

2 COMMENTS

Donald Trump and Univision Communications Inc. have settled the lawsuit stemming from the Spanish-language network’s decision not to air the Miss USA pageant last year, after the Republican presidential candidate made disparaging remarks about Mexicans.
The settlement -- terms of which were not disclosed -- closes a fierce divide between Mr. Trump and Univision that developed in June after the mogul made comments about building “a great, great wall” on the U.S.-Mexico border and having Mexico pay for it. He said that Mexican immigrants were “rapists,” bringing drugs and crime to the U.S.
Later that month, Univision terminated its contract with the Miss Universe Organization, which Mr. Trump partially owned at the time. NBCUniversal, a unit of Comcast that also aired the Miss Universe Pageant, quickly followed suit and ended its business ties to Mr. Trump.
The presidential candidate responded by filing suits against both companies, including a $500 million one against Univision alleging breach of contract and defamation. Univision said at the time that its decision to cut ties was “influenced solely by our responsibility to speak up for the community we serve.”
In a statement, Mr. Trump and Univision Chief Executive Randy Falco said they were pleased to resolve the litigation.
“I have known Univision’s President and CEO, Randy Falco, for more than 20 years and I’m glad we are able to put these differences behind us,” Mr. Trump said.
NBCUniversal settled its legal issues when it sold its half-stake in the Miss Universe Organization to Mr. Trump in September, giving him full ownership. Days later he sold the organization to WME/IMG, a talent and marketing agency formed in 2013, for an undisclosed sum.
Fox and spanish-language network Azteca America broadcasted the Miss Universe pageant in December, which gained headlines when host Steve Harvey announced the wrong winner and had to backtrack.

 

http://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-univision-settle-lawsuit-over-miss-universe-pageant-1455220440